Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Privacy Vaults Online, Inc. d/b/a PRIVO?
- What is COPPA?
- Why outsource COPPA compliance?
- How does PRIVO ensure COPPA compliance?
- How does PrivoLock™ work?
- How do you ensure real–time authorization?
- Why is the PrivoLock™ system's registration process superior?
- How much does PrivoLock™ cost?
- What type of privacy/security assurance do you offer?
- What other sites can I go to for more information about children's privacy on the Internet?
PRIVO offers the industry's only cost–effective outsourced solution for managing children's personal information in full compliance of COPPA. PRIVO holds the secure profile of user data, protecting the site from the responsibility and liability of hosting children's personal information, while retaining the value of an ongoing, communicative relationship with the child and his or her parents and/or teacher.
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The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) applies to Web operators who knowingly attract or target users under the age of 13. The law requires parental consent before operators can collect personally identifiable information (PII) from children, or allow children access to activities where PII could be disclosed.
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Managing children's personal information within COPPA requirements can cost up to $300,000 per year in administrative and legal expenses – not to mention the high cost of bad PR from non–compliance. In addition, many firms find it difficult to work between internal departments to ensure that all COPPA issues are properly addressed. PRIVO allows content creators the freedom to create customizable, collaborative activities and communication tools, while ensuring strict COPPA compliance.
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PRIVO gains verifiable parental permission with an audit trail for that consent in full compliance of COPPA. The user information furnished to PRIVO is stored on PRIVO's high–security servers. Only the permissioned and aggregate information is transmitted through PRIVO's robust secure communications infrastructure directly to client Web operators. Participating companies must agree to a high standard of COPPA–compliant policies and procedures. PRIVO conducts spot–checks of participating sites on a regular basis.
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The first time a child visits a PrivoLock™–enabled site, he/she is directed to a co–branded PrivoLock™ registration page. Here, the young user gives contact information for his/her parents (or teacher). The permission–giver must register with PRIVO and agree to the site's privacy practices before giving verifiable permission for the child to sign in and have access to various web sites and activities.
If the child has already been registered at another participating site, PRIVO can immediately contact the parent through e–mail and establish verifiable consent to add permissions for the new site to the child's profile. PRIVO can also proactively contact the parent to suggest pre–authorization at the sites of the company's affiliate partners.
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Once a parent has registered his or her child for a site or activity, the authorization process is sent electronically to PRIVO's repository whenever the child logs onto the site. Real–time authentication allows the child to access any area that the parent has approved.
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Currently, each site registers the child for just that site, creating countless passwords for kids to remember. With PrivoLock™, children only need to remember one User ID and Password to gain access to all their favorite parental–approved sites. Companies save money and reduce liability, parents rest easy that their kids are safe, and children have the freedom to surf with a kid–friendly, "one password for all sites" system. In a highly fragmented marketplace, PRIVO is poised to emerge as an industry standard for COPPA compliance.
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PrivoLock™ is provided at no cost to parents, teachers and children. For Web operators, price is dependent on the size of the site, the number of activities, the number of registered users, and the length of contract and the plan chosen. Contact PRIVO today for an estimate for adding PRIVO to your site.
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In accordance with COPPA regulations, PRIVO allows the parent to define the parameters of the distribution of a child's personal information. All private information is encrypted prior to transmission and resides only on PRIVO's secure servers.
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Below is a list of informative sites regarding children's online privacy and protection:
- Kidz Privacy
From the FTC, this site educates kids, parents and businesses about the privacy rights of children online. - OnGuard Online
OnGuard Online provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. - Children’s Advertising Review Unit – CARU
CARU, part of the Council of Better Business Bureau, Inc, works in voluntary cooperation with children’s advertisers to ensure that advertising messages directed to young children are truthful, accurate and sensitive to their particular audience. - National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – NCMEC
Official site for current information on Missing and Exploited Children. NCMEC was established in 1984 as a private, nonprofit organization to provide services nationwide for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered and sexually exploited children. - NetSmartz Workshop
An interactive, educational safety resource to teach kids and teens how to stay safer on the Internet created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. - Wired Safety
Online safety and help group. - MySpace – Safety Tips
Safety tips for users and parents.
Phone: 703–569-0504
Email: info@privo.com
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